Middle-earth: Shadow of War

 PlayStation 4
User Score
4.9

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 1686 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 665 out of 1686
  2. Mixed: 265 out of 1686
  3. Negative: 756 out of 1686
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  1. ZaPaAl
    Dec 22, 2020
    4
    They squeezed the theme a bit too much now. And this opinion is not even based on microtransactions.

    It's predecessor was simple but delivered fun and this game now had engaging moments at first and looked like a major enhancement in every way. But later on this grew into a major and repetitive grind with a very senseless story and down right unlikeable characters. I could not gather    They squeezed the theme a bit too much now. And this opinion is not even based on microtransactions.

    It's predecessor was simple but delivered fun and this game now had engaging moments at first and looked like a major enhancement in every way. But later on this grew into a major and repetitive grind with a very senseless story and down right unlikeable characters.

    I could not gather enough interest to grind up for the major siege defending part of the story (Shadow War) so I missed out on the real ending and I really don't care anymore. Quite sad what they did to this.    … Expand
  2. njja02
    May 15, 2018
    4
    Pretty much the same pros and cons as the first game. but they squandered the nemesis system by implementing loot boxes that contain Orcs. It's sad, because the open world looks beautiful, but even that feels empty. Very disappointing.
  3. mikepatyaev
    Dec 21, 2022
    4
    Experience an epic open world brought to life by the Nemesis System. Forge a new Ring of Power, conquer Fortresses in massive battles and dominate Mordor with your personal orc army in Middle-earth: Shadow of War
  4. ILoveBF1
    Mar 27, 2021
    4
    Pretty average even if you remove the microtransactions. It gets repetitive. Dominate/Kill Captain, Overthrow overlord, repeat. The story is also too weak. The ending was good though. The map is so big yet so small. It has a large area but there is too little to explore. Overall meh.
  5. Dex1911
    Oct 11, 2017
    4
    The game is very confusing you have to hold a two run but if you want to turn your camera you have to stop running then turn the camera then sprint again what the **** The health regen system is retarded and very confusing. And if you are in the middle of a Battle and your health is low you have to run and find an orc to drain to get your health back. This is a very bad game
  6. theplayer23
    Oct 15, 2017
    4
    Although the game looks very good - MT MT MT - oh and MT MT and than some more MT -
    i am blessed that waited till my friend buy this game. now I know I will never buy it.
  7. pixelpassion
    Oct 11, 2017
    4
    Not far into the game and have ran into a few bugs the controls feel sloppy the UI is a mess and one cheap death when the game froze on me but we all know the loot box controversy and just feels bad the game has a bad cloud over it and it being mediocre doesn't help.
  8. BeetrootBaron
    Oct 12, 2017
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The combat mechanics and the nemesis system are the only reason that this is getting a 4 from me, they have been greatly improved since shadow of mordor. The story on the other hand is absolutely rotten, as a massive fan of Tolkiens work it sickens me to see his lore broken to such a degree that it actually bothers me more than the microtransactions (we'll get to them shortly). The way they portrayed shelob as some sort of shape shifting psychic is just so immersion breaking. same goes for the ringwraiths, to make isildur and helm hammerhand ringwraiths is a spit in the face to Tolkien and its constantly on my mind while trying to get through the monotonous grind. Now as for the microtransactions, I haven't felt the need or urge to purchase any lootboxes because I would rather earn my gear and orcs but to put them in a fully priced singleplayer game is an unnecessary distraction that takes away from the experience, it is always subtly leading you to the marketplace shoving them in you're face. It also affects the balance substantially towards the end with you having to constantly defend your strongholds in order to get the true ending, the grind at this stage is so tedious that it would force a lot of people to just spend their money to get through it, either that or if you're like me it will force you to quit the game and watch the ending on youtube. This game would have been so much more interesting and enjoyable if they used the lore that Tolkien had written and if they hadn't included the balance breaking microtransactions.… Expand
  9. Asaliah
    Oct 17, 2017
    4
    Huge fan of the first one, I bought this one day one.

    It was a huge mistake: -It's exactly the same game -It's full of bugs (character stuck, bugged quests,...) -It's super repetitive -90% of skills are useless -Can't skip Orcs' speech (trust me after several hours you CAN'T stand it anymore) -Graphics are very meh -I'm ok with lore "twists" but here the story is super basic and    Huge fan of the first one, I bought this one day one.

    It was a huge mistake:
    -It's exactly the same game
    -It's full of bugs (character stuck, bugged quests,...)
    -It's super repetitive
    -90% of skills are useless
    -Can't skip Orcs' speech (trust me after several hours you CAN'T stand it anymore)
    -Graphics are very meh
    -I'm ok with lore "twists" but here the story is super basic and poorly written
    -And the cherry on the cake: microtransactions, it's totally UNACCEPTABLE
    -Secondary characters are super cliche

    If you don't pay, either use a cheat engine to finish it or stop midway and watch the real end on youtube. It's litteraly dozens of hours of grinding.    … Expand
  10. DeadlyLemming
    Oct 17, 2017
    4
    Amazing underlying gameplay which makes it all the more heartbreaking that they leave a large amount of fun items and orcs exclusively for people who pay extra real money. Its like they tried to make the normal game as underwhelming as possible (for a game with such potential) so that you would have to buy golden/mithril chests just to have unique loot with any amount of flair. Sadly theAmazing underlying gameplay which makes it all the more heartbreaking that they leave a large amount of fun items and orcs exclusively for people who pay extra real money. Its like they tried to make the normal game as underwhelming as possible (for a game with such potential) so that you would have to buy golden/mithril chests just to have unique loot with any amount of flair. Sadly the loot/market system itself is also so cumbersome it is undoubted the game would be better off without it.… Expand
  11. ConnorMak
    Oct 19, 2017
    4
    No, the low score is not because of the infamous micro transactions. It's because the game is a frustrating and boring grind. Wait until after Xmas and pick it up for under $20. $10 if you wait longer.
  12. metasebii
    Nov 9, 2017
    4
    Ignoring the apparent micro-transaction controversy, I found this game clunky and unconvincing. The stealth mode wasn't at all intuitive, and the mechanics of the take downs and combat just felt awkward. While I understand the story, there was so much to dislike about the basic mechanics of the game. I found myself constantly being pulled out of the story due to the stupidity andIgnoring the apparent micro-transaction controversy, I found this game clunky and unconvincing. The stealth mode wasn't at all intuitive, and the mechanics of the take downs and combat just felt awkward. While I understand the story, there was so much to dislike about the basic mechanics of the game. I found myself constantly being pulled out of the story due to the stupidity and unrealistic nature of the movements. I give this game a four because I can see there is potential here. It's a beautiful world they have created, and the modeling and aesthetics of the game are outstanding.… Expand
  13. IGROLOGIA
    Nov 13, 2017
    4
    This is perfectly fine for me to have an other bland game with no new ideas. Nemesis mechanics are not the thing that can perfectly replace the normal campein's story. The grind is absolute. It could be just almost the same game and it could earn 6 or even 7, but the donate thing... That really stinks. There is no way 60$ game could possibly make us pay even more with all the lackluster ofThis is perfectly fine for me to have an other bland game with no new ideas. Nemesis mechanics are not the thing that can perfectly replace the normal campein's story. The grind is absolute. It could be just almost the same game and it could earn 6 or even 7, but the donate thing... That really stinks. There is no way 60$ game could possibly make us pay even more with all the lackluster of content.
    That is bad    … Expand
  14. Lord-Eagles
    Nov 11, 2019
    4
    Shadow of War fails as an improvement upon its predecessor marring the potential this game had.
    Instead of focusing on a more personalized nemesis system and a larger variation of missions it delivers a clunky mess that just throws you in 5 slightly oversized and poorly tested map areas which should’ve only been 3 but it will try to use as an excuse to build a game that you can play for    Shadow of War fails as an improvement upon its predecessor marring the potential this game had.
    Instead of focusing on a more personalized nemesis system and a larger variation of missions it delivers a clunky mess that just throws you in 5 slightly oversized and poorly tested map areas which should’ve only been 3 but it will try to use as an excuse to build a game that you can play for 90+ hours but after you complete the story and side missions and collectibles about 25-30 hours in you’ll find no reason to stick around.
    The controls to this game feel clunky and not quite as smooth as the previous installment with an absolutely unneeded and unwanted equipment drop mechanic being added which should’ve had an expanded equipment upgrade system instead along with keeping the Gem drops. and an unforgivable OVERLY bloated skill tree that requires you to not have more then one improvement upgrade being activated but allows you to toggle on whenever you want if you go into the menu mid fight. With all of these combined cause this game to eventually dissolve into a tiresome grind.
    Other problems surround the siege missions. their upgrades, your orc army upgrades, and their overpriced expenses which were originally meant to be Microtransactions. But these missions are the big draw to the new installment essentially being A set of either attacking or defending fortresses. Which also ends up being the core Post gameplay loop. Well at its core being fun and intriguing falls short of its glory mixed with the sometimes clunky control mechanics and the Orcs constantly introducing themselves in the middle of the war, it essentially boils downing to orc fortress CTF that’s constantly pausing when your trying to do a combo move.

    All In all a fun experience that should’ve been thought out and executed in a more organized manner. And instead of going bigger it should’ve went more personalized    … Expand
  15. JoKeR_AlexS
    Jun 24, 2020
    4
    Este comentário é universal nas minhas reviews. Apenas quero dar nota aos jogos e caso queiram saber mais alguma coisa sobre o jogo, aconselho a ver outras reviews ou até mesmo a experimentar o jogo.
  16. Hoplita
    Dec 5, 2020
    4
    Got it for free with PS Plus. Event after the end of the highly criticized micro-transactions, it's still a bad game. Only three years in of its release, this game clearly has not aged well. The movement is bad. The combat mechanics are repetitive. The enemies are dumb (stealth mechanic is a joke). The graphics could be better. The story is boring. It's a sloppy game. Perhaps theGot it for free with PS Plus. Event after the end of the highly criticized micro-transactions, it's still a bad game. Only three years in of its release, this game clearly has not aged well. The movement is bad. The combat mechanics are repetitive. The enemies are dumb (stealth mechanic is a joke). The graphics could be better. The story is boring. It's a sloppy game. Perhaps the developers thought they could provide anything to the players since it's a LOTR game and its predecessor was a success (indeed, the first game was pretty good). Unfortunately, this a game made not with love, but with greed.… Expand
  17. Goo4you
    Oct 17, 2017
    3
    While I've read the endless posts about microtransactions, these have seemed to lose all meaning in today's gaming ecosystem. Developers/publishers don't seem to care about the public outcry. In truth though, you don't need the boxes nor do you have to do anything but complete the content to beat the game and get through the narrative.

    What is god awful here is the thing everybody    While I've read the endless posts about microtransactions, these have seemed to lose all meaning in today's gaming ecosystem. Developers/publishers don't seem to care about the public outcry. In truth though, you don't need the boxes nor do you have to do anything but complete the content to beat the game and get through the narrative.

    What is god awful here is the thing everybody adored in the 1st title: The nemesis system. I personally found it a novelty in the 1st game, but here it is so overdone that it ruins the entire experience. Fine, hunt down a captain, that's good. He kills you and gets stronger, ok. Hunt him down for revenge, that's great. Have 6 captains "MAGICALLY appear" on top of that vengeance target and be all varying levels (I was level 2, that got killed by a lvl 9, then lvl10 and then was surrounded by 6 Lvl 5-15 captains). Not only that, but each, and, every, one, had, to, wax, poetic, about, how, they, were, going, to, kill, me. And yea this is an option you can turn off, but really I didn't think 6 FREAKING CAPTAINS WOULD JUST POP ON TOP OF ME!

    The menus are another unmitigated mess. They are so convoluted I honestly think the designer and programmer were drinking buddies and worked on them through all-night drunken binges. It's astonishingly bad. My eyes hurt fiddling around in them.

    You can take narrative liberties from time to time, but Shelob is the most ham-fisted insertion to grace this series. The time scale for events are just completely out of sync with the LOTR. Minas Ithil is long gone by the time of the war of the ring. The argument could be made that well, we are at those events. Well then, explain Gollum being in Mordor from the 1st title! He wouldn't have been there! Hell, he'd still be wallowing in a freakin cave under Moria!!

    The worst part of all of this..is the entirety of the game...is just boring. You are doing the same handful of things over and over and over and OVER! It's just one giant collect-O-thon within the confines of the map, and really silly online "vendetta" targets for some reason. You get gear....but....it's just gear. Nothing about this is needed, it's just PADDING!

    Bloat, bloat and lazy programming with a shamble of a writer's team make up this title. Couple that with a ridiculous terms of service agreement (Forced Arbitration with an option to opt out in 30 days) and the fact if you don't accept the terms of service, you can't play the game and you can't return the game (because you opened it). It's a damn catch 22 and it's gotta be illegal!

    Pass on this, pass on this hard. If I can avoid it, I will steer clear of ANY WB game in the future.    … Expand
  18. Ghoster
    May 12, 2018
    3
    This game is FUN (at least first part)! Microtransactions are not a problem because they are totally optional. But, game become boring in defense missions in act 4 (specially with Orcs talking 10 times during each mission). Further, some trophies for platinum are pointless and stupid. Fight pits are probably most stupid thing made in video games ever (in this missions you WATCH 2 NPC'sThis game is FUN (at least first part)! Microtransactions are not a problem because they are totally optional. But, game become boring in defense missions in act 4 (specially with Orcs talking 10 times during each mission). Further, some trophies for platinum are pointless and stupid. Fight pits are probably most stupid thing made in video games ever (in this missions you WATCH 2 NPC's fighting each other). So, game is really fun if you just want to play it until end of act 3. But, if you want finish act 4 or platinum trophy prepare of tones of stupid missions, trophies and a lot of grinding.… Expand
  19. gun21000
    Oct 14, 2017
    3
    Now, dear reader, do not get me wrong, I really loved this game in the beginning. From the get-go this game amazes everyone: the different type of Uruks that forces you to think more strategically, the new-and-improved Nemesis system that helps the player shape his/hers own storylines, and even though the main story might be slow and uninteresting in the beginning of the game, it doesNow, dear reader, do not get me wrong, I really loved this game in the beginning. From the get-go this game amazes everyone: the different type of Uruks that forces you to think more strategically, the new-and-improved Nemesis system that helps the player shape his/hers own storylines, and even though the main story might be slow and uninteresting in the beginning of the game, it does excite you and makes you want continue the story in the long run. However, when you reach Act IV, the joy that you felt quickly goes away when you come across what may be on of the most laziest design choice in the history of video games, and this is where those lootboxes that you heard so much about come into the play.
    Act IV is basically you defending the forts that you captured throughout the game. Now, it does not sound that bad, but when you realize that all the Uruk captains that you dominated are severely under leveled, that the attacking captains have a million strengths and maybe a few (or worse - just one) weaknesses, and the enemy forces can and will wipe the floor with your allies, the merriment that you once had will slowly fade away. Now, you may be saying: "Hey, it's just a difficulty spike at the end of the game, it doesn't sound that bad". No, you are wrong, and even after you defend all of the forts, guess what, YOU HAVE TO DEFEND THOSE FIVE FORTS ALL OVER AGAIN, AND THIS TIME, THE ENEMY CAPTAINS ARE EVEN TRIPLE THE LEVEL THAT YOUR CAPTAINS ARE. I didn't mention the best part: to acquire Uruks who are high enough level, you have to grind the **** out of the game, or JUST BUY OUR LOOTBOXES AND PRAY THAT YOU GET AN URUK THAT IS STRONG ENOUGH. So, this is why I think this game deserves a three, and I do not think I will be finishing this game.    … Expand
  20. Venavera
    Oct 10, 2017
    3
    Gameplay wise it's fun. Combat worked for me and it felt just like the first game if not a bit better. Wasn't a big fan of the story, but I also haven't gotten to the "true" ending which is locked against a long tedious grind put in the game to make you buy the loot boxes. There's plenty of other better games out there without practices like this.
  21. Haldir
    Oct 10, 2017
    3
    Someone gave this game a 10 and compared it to the Witcher 3, in that if you liked the Witcher, you'd like this. Only problem is, the Witcher did not have micro-transactions, it had lovable and amazing characters, a gripping story, and a card game on the side that was addicting in its own right. Shadow of War IS fun for the first little bit, but the grind, and the opportunity to skip theSomeone gave this game a 10 and compared it to the Witcher 3, in that if you liked the Witcher, you'd like this. Only problem is, the Witcher did not have micro-transactions, it had lovable and amazing characters, a gripping story, and a card game on the side that was addicting in its own right. Shadow of War IS fun for the first little bit, but the grind, and the opportunity to skip the grind by paying more money is of no interest to me.… Expand
  22. Levin
    Dec 31, 2017
    3
    The first installment of this franchise was fantastic in my opinion. For me this sequel was a must buy because of that. I did know about some negative reviews, but had to see for myself. Sadly, this is a really bad game, pure and simple. Something has been lost in terms of both story and gameplay. It is filled with bugs (enemies getting stuck, unable to jump down a small ledge after beingThe first installment of this franchise was fantastic in my opinion. For me this sequel was a must buy because of that. I did know about some negative reviews, but had to see for myself. Sadly, this is a really bad game, pure and simple. Something has been lost in terms of both story and gameplay. It is filled with bugs (enemies getting stuck, unable to jump down a small ledge after being teleported in through a meter thick wall?? Captains regenerating to full health when defeated, presenting themselves all over again in the middle of a battle "Hello, I Gnarg, are we doing this again?") It seems a bit like they tried to copy the later, less successful installments of Assassins creed (not origins, but the boring ones). I have spent a few hours now, and only feel frustrated and unmotivated to continue playing this sad attempt of an open world game. I hope they will get their act together and build on what they have done in the past for their next game, and just forget this failure.… Expand
  23. Snerp
    Jan 1, 2018
    3
    Act 1 to 3 is the game ok, though it get s repetitive quickly. Save yourself the frustration and DO NOT PLAY ACT 4!!!! It is a complete grind fest made purposely created to get you to buy loot chests. Once your done act 3 just go to youtube and watch the ending. I think after this Shadow of War B.S., and the Star Wars Battlefront fiasco that developers realize that the gamers/internetAct 1 to 3 is the game ok, though it get s repetitive quickly. Save yourself the frustration and DO NOT PLAY ACT 4!!!! It is a complete grind fest made purposely created to get you to buy loot chests. Once your done act 3 just go to youtube and watch the ending. I think after this Shadow of War B.S., and the Star Wars Battlefront fiasco that developers realize that the gamers/internet will out your shameful, nefarious plan and fill your pockets. I hope the sales are down and these game developers have lost a ton of sales. 2018 is going to be interesting now that developers are going to have to ask themselves if loot boxes/micro transactions are now worth the risk.… Expand
  24. xavia91
    Oct 19, 2017
    3
    "You don't need lootboxes and can play through the whole game without a problem" that is if you are willing to grind your ass off with repetitive battles to slowly raise your level... The beginning is fun and progressing as expected, but after leaving Minas Tirith you are suddenly stuck with endless grinding and meaningless story missions on the side....

    Thanks to the proper early phase    "You don't need lootboxes and can play through the whole game without a problem" that is if you are willing to grind your ass off with repetitive battles to slowly raise your level... The beginning is fun and progressing as expected, but after leaving Minas Tirith you are suddenly stuck with endless grinding and meaningless story missions on the side....

    Thanks to the proper early phase it does not get ZERO points as it deserves for being a greedy ****    … Expand
  25. lostsol
    Nov 13, 2019
    3
    While playing the game you will find yourself forced to spend more money to finish to be able to finish it. If this isn't a d*** move, then what it is?
  26. Manzor
    Oct 21, 2017
    3
    Big kick in the ass to the lord of the rings lore but it has some other big problems. Some of them related to microtransactions but there are problems with playability. Too much combo mechanics. It looks amazing (in some way, graphics are not amazing either) but if you play some hours you realise how boring the game is. You are just pressing buttons.

    Not a terrible game, but to me, it's    Big kick in the ass to the lord of the rings lore but it has some other big problems. Some of them related to microtransactions but there are problems with playability. Too much combo mechanics. It looks amazing (in some way, graphics are not amazing either) but if you play some hours you realise how boring the game is. You are just pressing buttons.

    Not a terrible game, but to me, it's a bad game. Not enough good to deserve playing. There are bigger fishes in the sea.    … Expand
  27. foscomicron
    Oct 31, 2017
    3
    Repetitive gameplay and non-existent story, both unforgivable in a single player game. Everything about this game feels lackadaisical from map design to character progression. The nemesis system is over-hyped as you take down orcs easily the same way. Did not progress far enough in the game for loot boxes to become an issue.
  28. Assassin_Lord
    Oct 10, 2017
    3
    Never before have I ever made a metacritic account. However I can no longer sit idly by. I am absolutely disgusted with the game industry now. What was once a rare and uncommon practice has now infected nearly every game. I am talking about the microtransactions and loot boxes. They were bad enough in multiplayer games, but in single player games?! They are pure cancer and a blight onNever before have I ever made a metacritic account. However I can no longer sit idly by. I am absolutely disgusted with the game industry now. What was once a rare and uncommon practice has now infected nearly every game. I am talking about the microtransactions and loot boxes. They were bad enough in multiplayer games, but in single player games?! They are pure cancer and a blight on gaming. Every last major game since 2015 has been getting this and all the major AAA games this year in a row i have seen nothing but MT's and loot boxes. Shadow of War,NBA 2K18,Forza 7,Battlefront 2,Skyrim,Fallout 4, Assassins Creed Origins, Street Fighter V,MvC: Infinite, and many others. I have since sworn off the developers/publishers of these games and all their products. Never again!
    Now onto my Shadow of War review. Not only is this game full of them,not only does it have advertisments in game everytime you pause the game or are in the main menu, but the true ending is locked behind a paywall. Warner Brothers also profitted off a dead man!! That's just the greed side of things. The game itself is a joke and an insult to Tolkien's Middle Earth lore. The story is poorly written and short. About 12-15hrs in an open world RPG adventure game ffs!! It's time we true gamers purge these greedy corporate parasites from the game industry! We are going to let then know, when you come into the game industry and try to mess with us gamers, you're going to be destroyed! You do not come into our world and try to take it as your own to corrupt!! We will end you corporate pieces of garbage! You dare have the audacity to come on our turf and take it over?!! You're done!! From this point foward DEATH comes straight for you and any who support these practices and defend this will get the same in return!!    … Expand
  29. bhappenstance
    Oct 18, 2017
    3
    This is a real shame. Shadow of Mordor is one of my all-time favourite games, but this sequel should not have been released in the state it's in. It appears just as slick and enjoyable, but is rife with bugs. In only two hours of play, I've been stuck in three glitches that required restarting - especially unfortunate in a game where your death has consequences for enemies/progression. IfThis is a real shame. Shadow of Mordor is one of my all-time favourite games, but this sequel should not have been released in the state it's in. It appears just as slick and enjoyable, but is rife with bugs. In only two hours of play, I've been stuck in three glitches that required restarting - especially unfortunate in a game where your death has consequences for enemies/progression. If the other complaints re: microtransactions are on point (didn't make it far enough for this to be an issue), then it's deplorable that Monolith seems to have put more thought into microtransactions than game testing. Will be returning this tomorrow.… Expand
  30. Hobobo
    Jan 7, 2018
    3
    I'm really not diggin' what they are doing with the story. It's basically rewriting what made LoTR story so cool. Orcs now have special wizardry powers and new rings are being forged. Also, Shelob is a human lady? What? It's like they sat down and said "hhmmm, how can we make this game more like Warcraft." I don't feel that Tolkien would like the direction Warner Bros is taking with hisI'm really not diggin' what they are doing with the story. It's basically rewriting what made LoTR story so cool. Orcs now have special wizardry powers and new rings are being forged. Also, Shelob is a human lady? What? It's like they sat down and said "hhmmm, how can we make this game more like Warcraft." I don't feel that Tolkien would like the direction Warner Bros is taking with his work. It's taking on more mystical role play elements than it should be and becoming a whole different thing. Oh, and the loot boxes are stupid. As a big LoTR fan I'm very disappointed with this latest entry.… Expand
  31. Str1der1
    Dec 30, 2017
    3
    Jumped into the sequel without playing the first. The game is hard and unnecessarily so. I'm up for games being challenging but this get tedious to run away when health is low or some characters have special abilities called no chance.
    The second half of the game is designed to use bodyguards even when I don't want to.
    Should not include microtransactions for this game. It has a lot of    Jumped into the sequel without playing the first. The game is hard and unnecessarily so. I'm up for games being challenging but this get tedious to run away when health is low or some characters have special abilities called no chance.
    The second half of the game is designed to use bodyguards even when I don't want to.
    Should not include microtransactions for this game.
    It has a lot of good things going for it. Few game design decisions seriously let it down. Do much do that I've parked completing it. Shame.    … Expand
  32. Ebislav
    Jan 29, 2022
    3
    Куча не нужных механик, отвратительные анимации врагов и тупые диалоги капитанов. Не смог закончить и первый акт
  33. ToshLichev
    Dec 7, 2020
    3
    I'm baffled by the positive reviews this game has received. Shadow of War is a horrible amalgamation of Arkham combat, AC traversal and Saint's Row IV-like powers which feels as cheap as it gets. Every aspect of it's gameplay is a bad bargain bin version of something that was astonishing and new 10 years ago. The only original idea it has, the nemesis system from the first game, feels likeI'm baffled by the positive reviews this game has received. Shadow of War is a horrible amalgamation of Arkham combat, AC traversal and Saint's Row IV-like powers which feels as cheap as it gets. Every aspect of it's gameplay is a bad bargain bin version of something that was astonishing and new 10 years ago. The only original idea it has, the nemesis system from the first game, feels like a gimmick at this point - it was cool the first time around, not as cool the second though...

    The story, although I am in no way a LotR fan, is so bland, boring and predictable that you just end up zoning out during most of it. There are a few sort of funny dialogues here and there but 95% of it is the tale of the most generic and characterless warrior in all of the realms, who's personality and appearance you forget immediately after pausing the game, and his annoying warrior friends who never get more than 30 seconds of character development. Together they have to fight millions of orcs to get a thingy.

    When you add the fact that the game is very buggy, it's got idiotic micro-transactions, the graphics are straight up 2008 PS3 levels of unimpressive and the world itself feels both annoyingly big to traverse and too small to be considered even decent - there just isn't anything good to say about the game.

    I usually have a final statement with which to finish my review but since Shadow of War didn't feel the need to have an actual ending and just gave us 20 fort defense missions to grind through for hours, I don't feel the need to summarize my review. Absolute **** 3/10

    P.S: PS+ really keep hitting a new low every month...    … Expand
  34. MazrimTaim14
    Oct 14, 2019
    3
    Question: How do you f up a great, fresh and innovative game in Shadow of Mordor?

    Answer: Make everything grindier to earn freaking microtransaction.

    It only affects the endgame if you want to see the "true" ending. But its better to watch it instead on youtube.

    The award "Could have been a Contender" goes to this steaming pile of
  35. neko555
    Oct 24, 2021
    3
    Un juego que podría haber sido de 10, se lo cargan completamente por malas decisiones y falta de continuidad.
    Con un input lag que mucha gente considera incluso que lo hace injugable, unos controles que recuerdan a la peor época de Assassins Creed, diría que bastante peor de hecho (como tener un capitán debajo, marcado para atacar con sigilo, y en el momento de darle se cambia a un uruk    Un juego que podría haber sido de 10, se lo cargan completamente por malas decisiones y falta de continuidad.
    Con un input lag que mucha gente considera incluso que lo hace injugable, unos controles que recuerdan a la peor época de Assassins Creed, diría que bastante peor de hecho (como tener un capitán debajo, marcado para atacar con sigilo, y en el momento de darle se cambia a un uruk normal y corriente que está a 3 metros, algo qué pasa muuuuy a menudo).
    Es un juego tremendamente desesperante, no por la dificultad en si, sino porque esta es injusta. Capitanes que te sobrepasan en 8 o 10 niveles empiezan a llamarse unos a otros, en 3 movimientos se han adaptado a todo tu repertorio de ataques, alarmas que no se pueden parar sumando a lo anterior enemigos infinitos (aparecen literalmente de la nada).
    Este sistema némesis del que tanto parecen enorgullecerse tienes demasiados agujeros, lo único que consigue es que avanzar no sea en absoluto satisfactorio. Y no es que no le haya dado una oportunidad, me he pasado el juego, pero me da mucha pena que se hayan cargado un juego con tanto potencial y que no se hayan molestado en arreglarlo con parches ni en las reediciones.    … Expand
  36. pharagonesia
    Oct 10, 2020
    3
    It is very evident the developers didn't play their own game. Try climbing a wall and the game can't determine whether the 'X' button indicates a command to roll or a command to climb. This regression in mechanics was evident right away. The skill upgrade menus are another downgrade from Shadow of Mordor. While the environments in the game look better than the predecessor, the charactersIt is very evident the developers didn't play their own game. Try climbing a wall and the game can't determine whether the 'X' button indicates a command to roll or a command to climb. This regression in mechanics was evident right away. The skill upgrade menus are another downgrade from Shadow of Mordor. While the environments in the game look better than the predecessor, the characters themselves appear more plastic. Orc Captain cut scenes seem to run longer and there is no way to bypass the nonsense dialogue. Arrows no longer need to be manually picked up, but good luck finding them. If you have aim assist turned on, good luck because the feature is mostly broken. Then there's the matter of having to find some bizarre combination of left/right to reveal secrets. The concept sounds cool at face value, but the implementation is rage inducing. And finally - my biggest complaint - is the unresolved input lag that was well documented with Shadow of Mordor. Sometimes the character will just sit there taking hits, not responding to input because, well, apparently the developers don't play their own product. The only improvement in the game was the decision to eliminate plant hunting for health regeneration, but even that doesn't resolve the issue of a fundamentally broken character health system.… Expand
  37. Chrislzrks
    Apr 7, 2021
    3
    Most uninspired, generic game of the recent years.. There's Nothing "Tolkienish" in this game. Mediocre graphics, meeh gameplay, uninspired world and atmosphere as like quests and storyline...
    A crime against Tolkien and Lord of the rings franchise..
    Abort...
  38. DrBoom-Boom
    Sep 16, 2021
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I made an account to post this. This game is absolute **** The only redeeming thing about this game is the Nemesis system; without it, this would probably be one of the most uninteresting, uninspired, poorly made games I have played in a long time. The game, even four years out from launch, is still a buggy mess. I have fallen through the world while walking. I have been given the losing grip minigame while standing on a flat surface; I have also had captains disappear and show up dead on the army screen.

    The combat system ripped straight from the Arkham games does not work when your swarm you effectively, rendering your counter and ground executions useless until level 15, when you can finally kill with your counters. Until then, you are better off running away and picking off enemies with stealth kills, and that's only if you can, as some missions force you to sword fight, multiple enemies without being able to break away from combat. This is unacceptable. On top of that, Talion being the primary target for all enemies does ruin any setup or planning while in battle as enemies will run a football field's length to smack Talion for daring to think he can complete a frozen hit stun combo. And god forbid you shoot a Drake bait because if the Drake sees you, it will ignore everyone and attack you. This has ruined so many surprise attacks on enemy captains as I would have to leave the area and come back to try and set up an attack again.

    Also, the tracking for this game is diarrhea doo-doo. There have been multiple times where I will be attacking a captain, get wrath meter, and performing an execution just for Talion to ignore the person he was attacking to waste the execution on a random ork 50 feet away. This happens constantly and can change the way a fight is going; this also goes for Dominating enemy orks as you will always fight with the game so you can try and dominate an ork or log captain only to have Talion try and dominate a **** spider or random grunt that showed up right next to you wasting time and leaving yourself vulnerable to attack, which again can immediately change the way a fight is going. That is one of the most egregious things this game does because dominating orks is the whole point of this game, and if you don't make that process fun, then what's the point of the game?

    The story is only interesting when it is about Talion and Celebrimbor. None of the humans from that act matter in any way; the only person we meet in that act that matters is Eltariel. Idril and Baranor could have died in act 1, and it wouldn't have made a difference. Also, Idril is incredibly insufferable, showing up twice to fight in the Gondorian plotline after act 1, and is the worst at fighting. It just screams that Monolith didn't have enough material with the good story content and shoehorned in the Minas Ithil plot and Gondorian storyline to pad the game's run time. But let me say that The Desolation of Mordor is the best DLC in this game. I wish it weren't timed. I wish we could have just started out dominating orks instead of wasting the entirety of Act 1, the first couple of hours of the game, failing to read visions properly, and wasting time with Minas Ithil.

    This game is good for one time through, and that's it because the first time you play, you will be enamored by the nemesis system, and you will overlook the flaws, but on subsequent playthroughs, you start to notice the mechanics more and more, and that is where this game falls apart. Whenever the Nemesis system spits out something unique and cool, you tend to forget the 30 minutes of frustrating combat, annoying movement, and random bugs that got you there. This is a bad game that you could cut wholely 1/3 of it out, and it wouldn't make a difference. Anyone who tells you that this game is a masterpiece 10/10 is viewing it through rose-tinted glasses while sucking down their favorite brand of copium. This game should have been an expansion pack to Shadow of Mordor, not its own game.    … Expand
  39. Reedsnees
    Jul 8, 2022
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Loot boxes are bad, but unlike most games you can get the same loot by just obtaining it. The story sucks but gollum in it so yeah good game… Expand
  40. kktrian
    Oct 10, 2017
    2
    Developer greed is out of control. Funn-ish game, but the degree in which they try to nickel and dime you is simply insulting. I'd rather buy a game for $100 then try to get swindled every 10 mins while playing a game purchased for $60 dollars
  41. Bernaz
    Jan 18, 2021
    2
    One of the most frustrating game I ever played.
    Pit fight are totally stupid, the enemy orc attack and does stuff, mine stand still doing nothing and getting killed.
    The defend missions, at the end game, are stupid as well. You have to defend your castle against orcs lvl 40-50-60 with yours that barely reach lvl 30-40. If you try to find new orcs to recruit, they are always low level.    One of the most frustrating game I ever played.
    Pit fight are totally stupid, the enemy orc attack and does stuff, mine stand still doing nothing and getting killed.
    The defend missions, at the end game, are stupid as well.
    You have to defend your castle against orcs lvl 40-50-60 with yours that barely reach lvl 30-40.
    If you try to find new orcs to recruit, they are always low level.
    The only thing you can do is let one of them kill you and then recruit, but that's doesn't work because 99% of the time one of your orc save you before you die and kill him.
    And of course when you need to be saved, you died.
    When you fight a Captain, there is a high chance that another captain spawned under your feet because yes, there is no sense in this.
    I hate this game.    … Expand
  42. Tom360
    Dec 4, 2017
    2
    Man what a letdown!!! The first game was totally polished, told a coherent story, no major bugs. This one is a mess! Texture pop-in, enemies spawn right in front of you, combat feels chaotic and messy (not in a good way). I loved the first game, but this one needed to cook for a bit longer before seeing the light of day!
  43. ArchSeeker
    Oct 11, 2017
    2
    Best thing about this game is its combat and Nemesis system just like in Shadow of Mordor. Like its predecessor though, the game fails terribly at storytelling, character development, and variety in activities. Let's also not forget that someone thought it would be a good idea to put microtransactions in the game. I know that there are many who don't care but this game's anti-consumerBest thing about this game is its combat and Nemesis system just like in Shadow of Mordor. Like its predecessor though, the game fails terribly at storytelling, character development, and variety in activities. Let's also not forget that someone thought it would be a good idea to put microtransactions in the game. I know that there are many who don't care but this game's anti-consumer business model goes to show how much companies care now. You can't even get the true ending unless you have legendary orc followers. This was clearly made to make the loot boxes more appealing due to the tedious grind you'd have to do in order to get them. Vote with your wallet folks, avoid buying this game or wait untill the price drops to at least half of the $60 price tag.… Expand
  44. stash55
    Oct 25, 2017
    2
    I'm going to be blunt. If the market that's a critical component of the game is not bug-free, then don't release the game. I've given this game a 2 instead of 0 because in all fairness it's not easy to make a game, especially an open world game. As a gold edition purchaser I'm having issues with not receiving included content. Also, my market is bugged and breaks very frequently andI'm going to be blunt. If the market that's a critical component of the game is not bug-free, then don't release the game. I've given this game a 2 instead of 0 because in all fairness it's not easy to make a game, especially an open world game. As a gold edition purchaser I'm having issues with not receiving included content. Also, my market is bugged and breaks very frequently and randomly. Unless I restart the game, I don't have access of any kind to the market (server error). As you know, this means I can't deploy units in the army menu, which is a critical part of the game especially later on. I also don't receive gold after completing challenges ie I get notified that I've been awarded but the coins don't show up in the market. Hopefully these bugs are fixed soon but I can't change the rating here, it's just not acceptable to release a game in this condition.… Expand
  45. LesandroBonucci
    Jun 12, 2021
    2
    one of the worst games i ever played
    just presing one button to kill those orks
    soon all games is gonna be like this
  46. TonyBoyBR
    Oct 29, 2021
    2
    Muito ruim em relação ao primeiro game, nada evoluiu, muito pelo contrário o gráfico ficou pior, a história é sem sentido, eu particularmente não tive paciência de terminar o jogo, já o primeiro embora seja um pouco repetitivo ainda gera uma gameplay satisfatória, tanto é que pra mim foi uma platina prazerosa.
  47. damman
    Oct 12, 2017
    1
    All can type is don't purchase this game new if possible due to the loot boxes and weeks of grinding to see a lame final cut scene. If you want to buy ( support Titian Fall 2 which has not micro-transaction) wait to it's on a deep sale or better yet do not purchase and support WB and Monolith who used a dead man sickness to profit for DLC or giving countless gambling loot crates that willAll can type is don't purchase this game new if possible due to the loot boxes and weeks of grinding to see a lame final cut scene. If you want to buy ( support Titian Fall 2 which has not micro-transaction) wait to it's on a deep sale or better yet do not purchase and support WB and Monolith who used a dead man sickness to profit for DLC or giving countless gambling loot crates that will give you OP over others. Please do not buy this game and stop supporting gaming devs like this one who are greedy SOBs. The game is a $$$ grab do your research first. Lets teach these gaming companies to stop slicing up games and selling it as DLC and season passes. We are the gamer who make these companies rich but we get nothing in return but pointless loot boxes and dlc that was originally cut from the real game. Bottom line it's a shell game. They know which shell has the ball but they hide if from the customer. Not going to fall for this tactic again. I work to hard for my money and I demand a full game and no DLC season pass BS and grind feast. By the way I am a black man who believes in unity for all. I say lets apply the same to the gaming industry and stop fighting each other while these fools count our money. There will be a day where the gamer control what content for the next season go AAA games. Lets get these devs to give use more not less for under 59.99. We can change the industry over night if we stop supporting these games and band together. Trust me. One love peace.… Expand
  48. v3nomro
    Nov 15, 2020
    1
    Wwhat a sh game omg... I got it for free and it's still sh. Never ending hordes of orcs... This game is like mario, jump and run. Cheating death orcs... What's the point of this game? I got borred after 2 hours... Just do the same sh over and over again.
  49. Spidor
    Nov 18, 2017
    1
    This game is one half okay game, and one half infuriating grind. Once you beat the penultimate mission, suddenly the game forces you to repeat ALL your progress multiple times over (encouraging you yo purchase precious lootboxes on the way). Do not play this game as is. Wait until they realize the error of their ways and patch the second half of the game out.

    Also - fortresses are not    This game is one half okay game, and one half infuriating grind. Once you beat the penultimate mission, suddenly the game forces you to repeat ALL your progress multiple times over (encouraging you yo purchase precious lootboxes on the way). Do not play this game as is. Wait until they realize the error of their ways and patch the second half of the game out.

    Also - fortresses are not nearly as cool as the trailer. IT's not fun, it's samey, and the AI is AWFUL.    … Expand
  50. Thalosmoon
    Oct 10, 2017
    1
    Shadow of War is an OK game. Its a AAA FULL PRICE game too. If you want all Content and the Season pass you will spend well over 100 bucks.

    Thats a LOT of money for a videogame. Now Warner Brothers went the extra step to put Loot Boxes in this game. Loot boxes that are paid for by real money. Lootboxes that contain Exp. Boosts, Gear and Units with a high value. By doing this they    Shadow of War is an OK game. Its a AAA FULL PRICE game too. If you want all Content and the Season pass you will spend well over 100 bucks.

    Thats a LOT of money for a videogame. Now Warner Brothers went the extra step to put Loot Boxes in this game. Loot boxes that are paid for by real money. Lootboxes that contain Exp. Boosts, Gear and Units with a high value.

    By doing this they Made the PVP Base Building completely Pay to Win and they SPOILER ALERT!!
    .
    .
    put the Endgame and the TRUE ENDING behind a grindwall that is artificially made into a tedium so that people would buy lootboxes for XP boosts. This Game is as SHAMELESS a MONEYGRAB as there is.

    In closing. If you dont have hundreds of bucks to spend on Microtransactions DO NOT BUY THIS GAME! NOT EVEN AS A SALE! It is no fun without investing Money for Microtransactions.

    Disclaimer: WB Games may purchase Reviewboxes that contain additional Scorepoints or Epic to Legendary Emotes like the Winki Smily of Victory"; )". Only 1000,-$ per Box. 1 Scorepoint guaranteed every 15 boxes.

    No purchase needed. The 1 out of 10 funtcions just fine as a review. Its totally optional.

    All jokes aside, no full price this riddled with Microtransactions deserves a higher Score than 1.    … Expand
  51. saturday_youth
    Mar 29, 2018
    1
    So i bought the game with good will after reading a few reviews and thought to myself, man it can't be that bad. And of course it isn't at the beginning. It starts with a strong atmosphere that quickly shoots itself in the food with the terrible fan fiction approach to the tolkien universe. Spider transforms into women? New "the one Ring"? Ok so far so bad, i can get behind that. GameplaySo i bought the game with good will after reading a few reviews and thought to myself, man it can't be that bad. And of course it isn't at the beginning. It starts with a strong atmosphere that quickly shoots itself in the food with the terrible fan fiction approach to the tolkien universe. Spider transforms into women? New "the one Ring"? Ok so far so bad, i can get behind that. Gameplay counts in the end. The Combat delivers imo, so does the nemesis system. So far so good. But than it get's to the tokens that u use to buy the "LootBoxes", terribly designed, they float in the air like coins in a f2p running game. Full immersion break right there in your face. Same goes for the jewels (which will buff your weapons) and armor. Picking them up locks you in a terrible animation that takes way to long. Well designed? Not really.
    The Menus are even worse. They are uninspired and completely designed without the world of LotR in Mind. Easy to navigate? Yes but just not fun to look at. Besides this, it is fun to play but i've only played a few hours and the music already starts to get annoying. Then there are the "elven Soul arrows" who make annoying sounds which can't be turned off unlike the music and are nearly everywhere.

    So the game has everything it needed to succeed but somewhere along the line of development, something must have happened. Something bad that influenced gameplay and design. But let's end this on a good note: The World is beautifully designed.    … Expand
  52. Ravarath
    Oct 10, 2017
    1
    Decent game but what's with the loot crates? I pay for game full prize so why should I pay more? Nope. Do not buy. I'm boycotting this kind of marketing. Here and in Battlefront.
  53. The_Follower
    Feb 1, 2021
    1
    I can’t in good conscience give this even a decent rating. The game itself is mostly fine, but the nemesis system is just straight up ungodly annoying, every time you cone across a captain (which is VERY often) he gives a 20-30 second UNSKIPPABLE speech. For the love of **** god, why would the developers do this? I wanted to give the game a fair go, but I’m probably about an hour in andI can’t in good conscience give this even a decent rating. The game itself is mostly fine, but the nemesis system is just straight up ungodly annoying, every time you cone across a captain (which is VERY often) he gives a 20-30 second UNSKIPPABLE speech. For the love of **** god, why would the developers do this? I wanted to give the game a fair go, but I’m probably about an hour in and just can’t take this anymore.… Expand
  54. Ungodly_Phantom
    Oct 11, 2017
    1
    Отличий от первой части минимум, нудный гринд,скучная боевка. И на десерт кейсики. Как игра за 60$ получает оценку 1, если бы была ф2п, то 5 из 10
  55. Reza19
    Oct 10, 2017
    1
    Disgusting, very greed, let don't buy any game which very greed. Just wait until there any crack for them. It is not worthy to buy this game just to spend more money t
  56. ganavak
    Nov 10, 2017
    1
    This game had been designed with the idea of slipping in micro transactions. They know most people will judge it along with many critics never play games all the way through (After 5 or so hours for example) before scoring.

    The last section of this game is a complete grind designed around frustration and edging you towards paying of orcs with RNG lootboxes with real money mobile phone    This game had been designed with the idea of slipping in micro transactions. They know most people will judge it along with many critics never play games all the way through (After 5 or so hours for example) before scoring.

    The last section of this game is a complete grind designed around frustration and edging you towards paying of orcs with RNG lootboxes with real money mobile phone F2Play model, ontop of paying £50. Its simply a way to ease this model in for the next game by saying (It's ok it was in Shaodw of War and this game and that so just deal with it etc) It feels very underhand to put them in at the end where they know most people would have reviewed before the end and moved on.

    On balance , I can just about deal with cosmetic only (as long as I can still get some good loot playing) to support the on-going development of that game (Overwatch) as in more content.

    After all, there will always be whales throwing £££ at things just to look the best. If they want to fund my game for me...?. But gameplay changing, cheats, more XP, more power, different versions, still have season passes its just layers of greed, therefore LINE CROSSED.

    Thankfully it seems a lot of people are not falling for this and nonsense in Battlefront 2. Pay to Win and loot boxes crap needs to end now otherwise AAA gaming will be killed by corporate greed.    … Expand
  57. CccyrussS
    Oct 12, 2017
    1
    I don't dislike this game because of microtransactions. I hate this game because I hate the stupid Orcs jabbering at you for 5 minutes before and after you get killed by them. I just can't stand it. Also the fighting is ridiculous dumb compared to something like Dark Souls. I just got the game yesterday and I'm bored to Tears by it and I almost threw my controller at my TV to try to getI don't dislike this game because of microtransactions. I hate this game because I hate the stupid Orcs jabbering at you for 5 minutes before and after you get killed by them. I just can't stand it. Also the fighting is ridiculous dumb compared to something like Dark Souls. I just got the game yesterday and I'm bored to Tears by it and I almost threw my controller at my TV to try to get the Orcs to shut up and that's not a good sign.… Expand
  58. forbitz
    Oct 11, 2017
    1
    Its a pity that in a single player game that greed has come into the equation, speaking of course about the micro transactions which ruin the end of the game. People should vote with their wallets and let publishers know we don't want this sort of thing in games we pay good money for.
  59. Unicus
    Oct 15, 2017
    1
    So much of this game is based on the first part, even the sounds have been taken over. It's like I'm playing the predecessor (which I have played A LOT), just with additional features. Once you get bored of the old game, do you really want to play the all new game, which is the same as the old? Apart from that, I feel like everything is overpriced, especially considering that so much hasSo much of this game is based on the first part, even the sounds have been taken over. It's like I'm playing the predecessor (which I have played A LOT), just with additional features. Once you get bored of the old game, do you really want to play the all new game, which is the same as the old? Apart from that, I feel like everything is overpriced, especially considering that so much has been taken from the previous version. The game itself (which can cost up to 100 USD, for the Gold edition), the all new buy in the single player game stuff, to show off to your not online friends... I have also played the game on Android, you can see the same overpriced "boost packages" there as well.… Expand
  60. M1N5K
    Oct 25, 2017
    1
    This game is a shame. The pushing of micro-transactions is really absolutely ridiculous. This game is REALLY Pay To Win. Too bad, because the previous game was fantastic.
  61. oleksii13
    Nov 1, 2017
    1
    zaebali Loot boxes, zaebali Loot boxes zaebali Loot boxes zaebali Loot boxes zaebali Loot boxes zaebali Loot boxes zaebali Loot boxes zaebali Loot boxes
  62. ChildofDivorce
    Nov 22, 2017
    1
    I was sooo pumped about this game. LOVED SoM.
    After reading USER reviews I will not be purchasing it.
    Micro-transactions are BS, even if they aren't necessary, it just makes me sick to see them in a game like this.
    Stay classy WB.
  63. Lo-Fi_Suicide
    Jan 21, 2018
    1
    I'll give this greedy compiled piece of code, filled with grind, 1/10 just for first 5 hours of exploring local combat system.
    Microtransactions shall not pass!
    First lootbox war has begun. Our army needs you. Your weapon is your money. Save it for developers and studios, who don't see you as a piece of wood that need to be chopped.
  64. LuciusCarluswig
    Jan 28, 2019
    1
    264/5000
    apart from the graphic quality of the game
    the game does not respect the books and even less the movies
    like his predecessor.
    Beyond that, the gameplay is poor and the game is extremely repetitive.
    I do not blame the dev's but did not develop more games like this
  65. Kurxen
    Nov 23, 2019
    1
    DO NOT BUY even if it were a dollar. I play every game out there but this game is GARBAGE. One of the biggest issues is the enemy balancing. Ots just ridiculous and unplayable as you can defeat a single thing. I'm telling you even on easy mode they can still one or two shot you
  66. Watcher-o-Roads
    Feb 12, 2020
    1
    Wasted Opportunity
    Batman Arkham like gameplay with addition of Nemessis system which was cool. Lamest final boss fight and unreliable story which ruin both the game and the Lord of the Rings experience.
  67. Weeklythrower58
    Mar 27, 2020
    1
    This is trash on ps4 play it on Xbox the game is just broken and ai is ****
  68. Pibblepunk
    Jun 12, 2020
    1
    Liked the first game well enough, though the nemesis system while cool in concept could sometimes really screw you over in unexpected ways. Sequels are generally expected to build upon the original title, featuring things like improved graphics and gameplay, perhaps a more engaging narrative and complex worldbuilding. Standard stuff. This game however, is in every single respect aLiked the first game well enough, though the nemesis system while cool in concept could sometimes really screw you over in unexpected ways. Sequels are generally expected to build upon the original title, featuring things like improved graphics and gameplay, perhaps a more engaging narrative and complex worldbuilding. Standard stuff. This game however, is in every single respect a downgrade from the original. The graphics and character models look worse, the environments look worse, the combat is worse, the story is more confusing and less interesting. Even the UI has been downgraded. And on top of all that, every single menu page is pushing advertisements for DLC content on you, as if to say, "Hey, you notice how this game is a bunch of cheap and badly made BS? Would like to buy MORE OF IT???" Absolutely disappointed.… Expand
  69. Mo_obaid
    Nov 23, 2020
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It’s not worth playing random fighting random mechanics the story line is not good the basics of the game are the worst I spent my time for no thing… Expand
  70. lilkillpappy
    Oct 10, 2017
    0
    my review for this game has been deleted 3 times now. I wonder if this one will be deleted as well? How much did Sony pay metacritic to help buffer the scores? 150 negative ratings and counting. Could the real score be much much lower? Anyway, don't buy games with micro transactions because they are a slippery slope to real money gambling and the destruction of quality games as we know it.my review for this game has been deleted 3 times now. I wonder if this one will be deleted as well? How much did Sony pay metacritic to help buffer the scores? 150 negative ratings and counting. Could the real score be much much lower? Anyway, don't buy games with micro transactions because they are a slippery slope to real money gambling and the destruction of quality games as we know it. DONT BUY THIS GAME!… Expand
  71. Eaynfrith
    Oct 10, 2017
    0
    Somehow manages to disgrace both the Tolkien legacy and AAA gaming.

    Shelob is now a beautiful woman. Orcs have funny personalities. Loot crates are required to finish the main story campaign,
  72. RoosterJuice
    Oct 12, 2017
    0
    Microtransactions in an $60 single player game is like buying a nice car and then after driving it for 1 year, a message pops up on the dashboard saying you can only drive a maximum of 40 mph unless you purchase more "credits".

    Unacceptable filthy greed.
  73. DonMega
    Oct 12, 2017
    0
    Pay $85 in my country for this game only to pay for loot boxes in a single player game. Sure you can beat this game without loot boxes but the game literally kills you in the last act of the game because you are forced to grind for 20+ hours to get the legendary orcs you need to finish the game or pay for loot boxes in a single player game to reduce the grind time. Just the lowest of thePay $85 in my country for this game only to pay for loot boxes in a single player game. Sure you can beat this game without loot boxes but the game literally kills you in the last act of the game because you are forced to grind for 20+ hours to get the legendary orcs you need to finish the game or pay for loot boxes in a single player game to reduce the grind time. Just the lowest of the low by a developer. Shame because the first game was great although boring and repetitive at times.… Expand
  74. Kenmei
    Nov 28, 2017
    0
    I wanted to go into this with an open mind. All the news about the microtransactions was really disturbing to me but I wanted to give this a shot. Well, quite frankly, this game sucks. And not just because of the microtransactions. No pretty much everything in this game had very little added to it, or just flat out failed in its delivery.
    Basically imagine just the first game, with a    I wanted to go into this with an open mind. All the news about the microtransactions was really disturbing to me but I wanted to give this a shot. Well, quite frankly, this game sucks. And not just because of the microtransactions. No pretty much everything in this game had very little added to it, or just flat out failed in its delivery.
    Basically imagine just the first game, with a kinda different story and, again, the microtransactions. While the story is prob average, it suffers heavily from the 4th act being a MASSIVE leveling grind and a halt to pretty much any momentum it had gained from the previous act. The beginning of Act 4 is the point where the game starts to heavily recommend you buy loot boxes because of the sudden massive level deficiency you find yourself in. With the amount of time it would take to grind your way to the point where you are able to do those quests, hours will have gone by and I can't accept that. For how little things changed from the 1st game to this one, throwing a massive road block in there around 3/4th the way through it is a slap in the face. All the good will that Monolith built up through the first game, with alot of stolen concepts from other games, is just completely gone now. I won't play another game in the series and prob never another Monolith game. They've lost a customer by their actions here.    … Expand
  75. macdigger
    Oct 11, 2017
    0
    Just say NO. Draw a line in the sand where we just don't allow triple-A single player (mainly) games to do the highway robbery through game-changing microtransactions and loot boxes (gambling!).
    Whatever this game has to offer, I won't ever know until it's on very deep sale, if that.
    Game companies MUST be shown their place AND understand that non-free full-priced games are not    Just say NO. Draw a line in the sand where we just don't allow triple-A single player (mainly) games to do the highway robbery through game-changing microtransactions and loot boxes (gambling!).
    Whatever this game has to offer, I won't ever know until it's on very deep sale, if that.

    Game companies MUST be shown their place AND understand that non-free full-priced games are not free-to-play ones. MAKE A STAND RIGHT HERE.    … Expand
  76. Beast979
    Jan 3, 2018
    0
    I loved the first one, but actually avoided getting this one because of the micro transactions and how they were implemented. The difficulty spike towards the end of the game that forces you to either grind for hours or give in to their micro transactions are a big reason why I am glad I did stay away from this game...these companies will only stop doing this sort of thing once people stopI loved the first one, but actually avoided getting this one because of the micro transactions and how they were implemented. The difficulty spike towards the end of the game that forces you to either grind for hours or give in to their micro transactions are a big reason why I am glad I did stay away from this game...these companies will only stop doing this sort of thing once people stop buying their products.… Expand
  77. Eilanzer
    Oct 21, 2017
    0
    AVOID THIS GAME LIKE THE PLAGUE!
    DLC...Microtransactions bullcrap all over the place...And if you support this you are making the gamimg industry worse and worse!
  78. Borat
    Oct 12, 2017
    0
    This game is a pile of garbage. I can't enjoy the main game because of the loot boxes. Having a random system that dictates what you get that pushes you towards paying real money is unacceptable! Don't buy this game unless you enjoy wasting money.

    The graphics are decent. That's it.

    Selling my copy as soon as possible.
  79. inverguy
    Oct 24, 2017
    0
    The golden age of gaming is behind us. This game is a pure representation of how terribly wrong it can get if the company is not interested in just taking your money but stealing it from you. But before I say more.

    Pros: there is some good content in this game. They definitely developed the story so it offers more entertainment but this is where everything positive ends. Cons: That    The golden age of gaming is behind us. This game is a pure representation of how terribly wrong it can get if the company is not interested in just taking your money but stealing it from you. But before I say more.

    Pros: there is some good content in this game. They definitely developed the story so it offers more entertainment but this is where everything positive ends.

    Cons: That entertainment seems to be limited by microtransactions. You are impacted by how much thy degraded the loot. You can easily tell that they made it so much ‘difficult’ so you invest in this already expensive game to make it enjoyable. I’m a casual gamer and never felt the need to buy any loot chests etc … but this one is just asking you for money. Yes, you can get a better loot and there are ways to guarantee it, but it ALWAYS feels like it’s few levels too late. You are actually punished for not spending even more money in a freaking single player game.

    With no respect to ppl standing behind such an awful business plan, I hope this will bite you back in the ‘behind’.

    PS: I hope you guys won’t buy this game. There are better titles… or at least wait until it’s 60% off    … Expand
  80. noirfx
    Oct 15, 2017
    0
    The game is ok, just remove microtransaction and everybody will be happy. Gamers are not stupid, you can't put loot crates into 60$ single player game.
  81. bellerophon
    Oct 14, 2017
    0
    Nothing interesting here, if you are a Tolkien fan the story is not canon and is not well narrated, the gameplay is 95% the same as ShadowOfModor from 2014, the graphics are even worse this time, which is a real shame, considering the powerful PC we can have these days. The microtransaction system (for a SP game, WTF ?) ends up burying the whole...
  82. IonStorm
    Oct 19, 2017
    0
    The game would have been great if it wasn't made intentionally grindy so that I pay real money for what is essentially cheat codes also known as loot boxes. These people have no shame.
  83. Neowulff
    Oct 19, 2017
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I was enjoying this game despite the butchering of Tolkien lore, that was up until I hit level 25 with my character, and notice how much, much, much slower it raised when I received experience, I was levelling up like crazy, then it was like I hit a wall.

    By this point in the game I had just conquered my first Fortress, so I tried the fight pits to level up my followers, my orcs couldn't level any higher than me, and I couldn't recruit any orcs who where a higher level than me.

    The tediousness of the collect 'em up side quests had then dawned on me, and I remembered all the hub-bub about Loot-boxes and pay to win surrounding this game, and it gave me such a bad feeling. So much so I had to stop playing and look up Metacritic reviews.

    Holy smokes! 406 negative reviews at the time of writing my own, compared to 194 positive, and 31 mixed. So I've been going over the bad reviews and learnt that at Act 4 the game becomes a grindy mess that reeks of mobile phone free to play shovel-ware, where you must recruit and level your followers to defeat massively over powered enemies assaulting your forts. Which could end up with you having to start from scratch, recruiting orcs and assaulting the fort yourself, if you lose.

    All to see the true ending (which I know won't be worth it, they rarely are), or you can buy loot boxes with real world money, FOR A CHANCE at obtaining a high level orc!

    Well after reading all this I thought "bugger right off Warner Bros" sent my game back for a refund. If the big wig publishers are to be believed, they are having a hard time recouping the cost of making these so called "triple A games". So all we have to do, when we hear of micro transactions, or something similar, is don't buy those games, don't pre-order them, just wait. The greed driven companies out there will see that their nickle and diming won't work, and they'll move on to a different medium to suck dry, like the creativity destroying parasites that they are.

    I just knew something was wrong when Shadow of War was first announced, so soon after Shadow of Mordor.

    I though "that was quick"....    … Expand
  84. bluemoon1987
    Oct 10, 2017
    0
    Would have been a day 1 purchase for me until the greed of the lootbox system became apparent. Lets hope the backlash to this is enough to make our point.
  85. tmlorfing
    Oct 31, 2017
    0
    This isn't a game, it's a 60 dollar virtual slot machine. STAY FAR AWAY from this "game", and it's time to shun all publishers who shoehorn literal gambling into videogames.
  86. whatever523
    Nov 2, 2017
    0
    Yay, lootboxes!

    You are paying for those extra profits with user ratings. I think you will find that in the long run, it's not worth it. Just ask Ubisoft.
  87. goztzero
    Nov 23, 2017
    0
    Music is shallow as **** it actually makes me wanna go to sleep

    Animations especially the running one are cringe inducing Graphics are quite bad, especially everything that it's not an orc. Orc intro cinematics get old really fast. Nemesis systems gets boring/annoying after a while (orcs keep spawning all the time) Its a really good attempt but with it really needed a lot of    Music is shallow as **** it actually makes me wanna go to sleep

    Animations especially the running one are cringe inducing

    Graphics are quite bad, especially everything that it's not an orc.

    Orc intro cinematics get old really fast.

    Nemesis systems gets boring/annoying after a while (orcs keep spawning all the time)

    Its a really good attempt but with it really needed a lot of refinement this feels more like a phone game than a game itself it's not worth $60 usd    … Expand
  88. lowerclassbrats
    Oct 11, 2017
    0
    Game ruined by microtransactions. This game is getting good scores from the legacy gaming media because they never have and never will look out for the consumer. If a publisher wants to ruin their game by putting gambling via microtransactions in at the cost of quality then they must accept the poor review scores from the consumer.
  89. theomegamaster9
    Oct 14, 2017
    0
    This game could have been great, but we should not judge based on potential. I loved the first game and i really felt that the nemisis system could become something truly unique and amazing after a bit of improving. Unfortunately, greed on an unbelievable scale ruined the experience completely. Call me whiner, but i truky believe that we need to take a stand here. This is not acceptable.This game could have been great, but we should not judge based on potential. I loved the first game and i really felt that the nemisis system could become something truly unique and amazing after a bit of improving. Unfortunately, greed on an unbelievable scale ruined the experience completely. Call me whiner, but i truky believe that we need to take a stand here. This is not acceptable. Locking the ending away behind a wall of pay-or-grind is absloutely dispicaple and taints the whole experience. I am sad that a series like this had to be the one to take the fall for the industry's growing greed but someone has to. This needs to stop.… Expand
  90. javironcho
    Oct 14, 2017
    0
    The game would be an enjoyable one if the ending wasnt behind a 50 hour boring grind or like $50, i quite enjoyed the first chapters, but reaching the end after pure useless grind is not worth it to me, i just returned it and i sugest not buying this until this microtransaction stuff is fixed or when the goty edition is at a really reduced price.
  91. Bumpster
    Oct 12, 2017
    0
    GAMERS, We need to stop saying "discusted with the gaming industry", this is NOT all developers. Lots of fantastic developers out there that understand the microtransaction issue. But like you i am angry, disappointed with Warner Bros and Monolith (was a big fan of Monoliths games). This is really unfortunate that a game that is so good is hampered, held back intentionally because theyGAMERS, We need to stop saying "discusted with the gaming industry", this is NOT all developers. Lots of fantastic developers out there that understand the microtransaction issue. But like you i am angry, disappointed with Warner Bros and Monolith (was a big fan of Monoliths games). This is really unfortunate that a game that is so good is hampered, held back intentionally because they want you to pony up $$$ and buy loot boxes. They intentionally give you crappy orcs etc so you have to buy loot boxes or play stupid fetch quests for hours that intentionally lul you into submission...so you'll buy loot boxes. They've made a great game but hamstrung it so you can't progress without more $$$$. So glad I was able to play this with a friend before i bought it. So disappointed, I thought I'd be rushing to the store to pick this up but the more we played, the more we saw through the money grab scheme. I won't be purchasing this or any Warner Bros/Monolith games in the future. We need to stop this now. Please do not support this game, it's going to kill our favorite past time.… Expand
  92. Lunaheal
    Oct 14, 2017
    0
    60 Euro for singleplayer game with microtransactions. Nuff said. We don't need microtransactions in singleplayer game. I hope Warner Bros. will understand it.
  93. Allthat
    Oct 16, 2017
    0
    First of all, you have to pay real money to see the games proper ending. What kind of game does that? WB is probably one of the stupidest publishers out there. This is a great game and had micro-transactions not been present, everyone would have bought it and the developers and WB would have made lots of money. Instead the decision to add micro-transactions gave the game tons of bad repFirst of all, you have to pay real money to see the games proper ending. What kind of game does that? WB is probably one of the stupidest publishers out there. This is a great game and had micro-transactions not been present, everyone would have bought it and the developers and WB would have made lots of money. Instead the decision to add micro-transactions gave the game tons of bad rep and it really hurt sales of this game. I hope some serious lessons were learnt from this.… Expand
  94. AcerolaOrion
    Oct 30, 2017
    0
    This is the point in time where pay to win has taken over singleplayer, pay to play games.

    The game is a horrendous grindfest. Killing Orcs doesnt give you experience. Killing captains and finishing events related to them gives A RIDICULOUSLY SMALL amount of experience. The amount of experience required to go even (and by being even on level --> able to recruit orcs and progress    This is the point in time where pay to win has taken over singleplayer, pay to play games.

    The game is a horrendous grindfest. Killing Orcs doesnt give you experience. Killing captains and finishing events related to them gives A RIDICULOUSLY SMALL amount of experience.

    The amount of experience required to go even (and by being even on level --> able to recruit orcs and progress story missions) is insane compared to what you are rewarded outside of story missions.

    Naturally you can buy experience boosters with real money! And just like for junkies, the first lootbox is always free! Making sure to catch all the people who are predisposed to spending money on being exploited like this.

    Disgusting! If you want to play this game --> steal it!    … Expand
  95. MrBrioche
    Nov 23, 2017
    0
    ok where to start... there is a lot of problem here
    1.Clumsy/unresponsive control, in a stealth/assassination game like that control is REALLY important and VERY often in this game it feels like you are trying to do something specific and the game just dont understand what you are trying to do.
    2.it feels like the nemesis system is force down your throat, sometimes you just KNOW that the    ok where to start... there is a lot of problem here
    1.Clumsy/unresponsive control, in a stealth/assassination game like that control is REALLY important and VERY often in this game it feels like you are trying to do something specific and the game just dont understand what you are trying to do.
    2.it feels like the nemesis system is force down your throat, sometimes you just KNOW that the game wanted you to die right there
    3.in the previous game the number of enemies were fix, but in this one they keep spawning all the time, so you cant ''plan'' and execute like before, overlord mission feel cheesy asf.
    4. the dmg you inflict is just to low compare to the dmg you take ex: a little grunt will take 25% of your HP per attack, the counter window is really smaller compare to the previous game, a captain CAN 1shoot you, when you are in these big fit, there is basically nothing you can do except run and even that dont usually work, feels unfair
    5.flying mechanic... my man... painful
    6.mission seems harder the first time you do it, it feel like they want to force death upon you
    7. fighting wraith is disgusting, counter window to small, they attack off screen you barely see it and so punishing and if you fight them while fighting other orc, i was dying inside
    8.i was chasing this legendary orc that was godlike and when i finally dominated him he lost some of his attribute....? wtf is going
    9.at some point i sent my epic orc on a mission, give him 2 reinforcement and for some reason my epic orc did some dmg (i think) to the 2 others and they started attacking him and they killed him ...?! this happened to me twice.... wtf AI
    10. the AI .... is really bad....
    last but not least micro transaction , i dont think it has his place in a full priced game but it wasnt intrusive but then again i cant stop thinking about how this game could have been without it

    so this game is ''good'' sometimes but the frustration you get from playing it just destroy those little moment of happiness, the only thing this game gave me, its a bad after taste in the mouth, feels bad man    … Expand
  96. Typh
    Oct 11, 2017
    0
    Absolutely brilliant gameplay! So addictive, and I’m probably shooting myself in the foot for saying this, but best game I’ve played since I could remember. They’ve made improvements to literally everything that made Shadow of Mordor shine, which I thought would be impossible. This will surely resonate in me for future nostalgia. Rating it a 0 however, because it hasAbsolutely brilliant gameplay! So addictive, and I’m probably shooting myself in the foot for saying this, but best game I’ve played since I could remember. They’ve made improvements to literally everything that made Shadow of Mordor shine, which I thought would be impossible. This will surely resonate in me for future nostalgia. Rating it a 0 however, because it has microtransactions…still not sure what they are, but apparently they make a game unplayable I’ve heard.… Expand
  97. fredhorrigan
    Oct 13, 2017
    0
    Because making a generic AssCreed clone with all of the flaws and none of the (few) strengths wasn't bad enough, now we need to put in a slot machine mechanic into a single player game and also profit from a dude's death.

    Cancer. Absolute cancer.
  98. FranciscoGtz
    Oct 10, 2017
    0
    Microtransactions + DLC season pass. We are already paying for a full game at $60.00 wtf. Gameplay is fine, overall Monolith did a good job, but these bad practices from companies have to stop.
  99. Keys1989
    Oct 11, 2017
    0
    Damn it all to hell!

    I'm almost 40, been gaming since Atari and at the peak of performance capabilities gaming is ruined by the all mighty dollar and developer greed. Pay (fot only a chance) at winning. Second half of the game is clearly designed to try and make you spend money. In a full price SINGLE PLAYER game. Unforgivable.
  100. mycarisorange
    Nov 30, 2017
    0
    You pay $60 for a single player game and you still need to buy crates to progress in the game?

    When are you all going to get the hint? Your fanbases aren't standing for this any longer. Double the cost of the game if you have to but give us a game that (a) actually functions as intended and (b) doesn't nickle-and-dime your reputation into nothingness.
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Awards & Rankings

65
#65 Best PS4 Game of 2017
12
#12 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2017
13
#13 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2017

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 69 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 53 out of 69
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 69
  3. Negative: 0 out of 69
  1. CD-Action
    Dec 19, 2017
    80
    I was annoyed by various flaws (both technical and design-related) and tedious, dragged out final stages of the campaign, but overall I enjoyed the ride. It looks like the developers wanted to stuff the game with all the best elements Middle-earth has to offer. Shadow of War’s atmosphere is terrific and watching Talion rise in power is surprisingly addictive. [12/2017, p.62]
  2. Cubed3
    Nov 26, 2017
    70
    A handful of issues, some much more annoying than others, do not negate how solid of an action RPG Middle-earth: Shadow of War is. A tremendous achievement for the team at Monolith Productions, this is an exciting, if not sometimes slow, and too often unfair, title that manages to be as impressively fun as it is big.
    Read full review
  3. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Nov 20, 2017
    60
    Big, brutal, and - alas - bloated, Shadow of War is a disappointing follow-up, conjuring battles of grand scale and then deadening their impact through grinding repetition. [December 2017, p.79]
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